Key readily removable from and replaceable onto a key ring



March 1953 'r. H. JOHNSTONE KEY READILY REMOVABLE FROM AND REPLACEABLE ONTO A KEY RING Filed July 13 1950 Theodore jyezz/izitfakms'hlz Q Patented Mar. 31, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT MOVABLE REPLA GEABLE ONTO KEY RING .10 Claims.

This invention 'relaites to key's adapted to be readily removed from and placed on to a key ring or other key retainer.

- Readily removable and replaceable keys her-etofore known have, among others, the objections they can only be made from special blanks and they require'spring pressed locking mechanisms, such as the well known jewelry safety catches. For these reasons the heretofore known keys of this type have 'been relatively costly 'to manufracture and have met with little or he commercial raver. v

It is among the objects of this invention to provide keys which are adapted to be readily removed fro'm and placed on to key rings, which :keyswcanbe :made from standard key blanks, such as "the well known Yale, "Sargent, Russwin, Corbin and other blanks nowavailable, which are simple andr ugged indesign, which are inexpensive to :manufacture and which are efficient in use in that they can readily. and conveniently be removed from and replaced onto a key ring.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will (be apparent from the following detailed description thereof.

In accordancewith this invention an opening is formed in the key head, the opening leading into the periphery of the head. Disposed in one side of the head is a-groove or channel which leads into the opening Alocking member, desir- =ably of spring metal, is slidably mounted in channel and is adapted to be moved to bridge the opening and thus close it to prevent removal ofthe key. from the ring. The locking member may also be moved in a direction to re tr'act it within its channel, thus opening said opening and permitting the ready removal of the key from the key ring. A cam member on the locking member cooperates with the walls of the "opening and of the channel to place the looking member under tension when it is retracted within the channel, which tension is released when the locking member is moved in a direct'ion to bridge the opening causing the locking member-to snap in place with the cam member in looking engagement with the sides of the opening to firmly close the opening.

7 the preferred embodiments illustrated on the drawing the invention is shown incorporated ,inkeys having substantially circular heads and .thepresent description will be confined to the present illustrated embodiments of the invention. It, will "be understood, however, that the novel features and improvements are susceptible to -;other applications, such as keys having other shaped heads including conventional key blanks, such as the Sargent, Yale, Russwin, Corbin, etc" blanks now available. Hence, the scope of this invention is not confined to the embodiment herein described.

.7 In the accompanying drawing,

vFigure 1 is a plan view of a key head embodying this invention showing the slacking membergm closed position;

Figure 2 is a plan view withparts brokenaway to show the interior structure and showing ,the

docking member inwopen position to permit the ready removal of the key from a'JkY ring;

' Figure 3 is :a vertical (section taken-in a plane passing through line 3-3 .of Figure -1 Figure 4 is a vertical section taken in ax plane passing through line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a composite perspective view showing a :key head as formed prior to the insertion of the locking member therein, the locking meme- -ber and the cap, which ;parts'when assembled form the construction of. Figures -1 to 4,;mclusiveT;

Figure 6 is a plan view o'iz akey-head on a somewhat reduced scalenas "compared with the scaleof Figures 1 and 2 and. showing a modified form of this invention;

Figure "7 is a vertical section taken in a plane passing through line h of Fi'gure fi; and

' Figure 8 is a perspective view of'the capiem- .ployed in producing the key of Figures Stand 7. In the drawing It! indicates the head of :akey provided with a bit- H which is shown fragmen- 'tarily. The head, as customary, has a peripheral edge l2 and opposite sides 13 and 14-.

opening I5 is formed in the head of the key,

preferably by stamping, this opening leading from the peripheral edge 12 towards the interior of the head of the key. In the construction shown in the drawing the opening is defined by Side walls i6 and 11 leading from. the periphery 12 into a rounded lower edge portion t8. arcuate roove or channel 19 1s formed in the head of the key leading ,from one side wall I6 of the opening [5 to the "oppositeside wall 1 1, as shown in Figures :1 and Disposed in this arcuate groove or channel is a locking member '20 desirably of the shape shown in Figure 5. This locking member is or spring metal, e. g., steel, comprises aiiat arcuate portion having rounded "end's 2'1, 2'2.

Disposed hear end2'2 is a 'cam member 23 which is formed 'on the periphery of the locking member '20 and has the forward edge 24 shaped so that it provides an abutment, the function or which 'wmoe hereinafter described. The rear edge ct this cam member is inclined as indicated at 25. The length of the cam member 23 is equal to the width of the opening l so that when the locking member is in place to close this opening, abutment 24 abuts against side I! of the opening I5 and the inclined portion 25 of this cam member is disposed within opening 15 close to side wall I 6, as shown in Figure 1.

Locking member 20 has thereon a raised portion 26 desirably disposed diametrically opposite the cam member 23. The face of this raised portion is roughened or serrated, as at 21, to facilitate engagement of the raised portion to efiect movement of the locking member 20 in the groove or channel l9.

Locking member 20 is maintained under tension in groove or channel I 9, the peripheral edges of the relatively wide portion 28 of this locking member being in frictional contact with the side edges of the portion of channel l9 in which wide portion 28 moves. Also the cam member 23, when the locking member is in the retracted position shown in Figure 2, frictionally engages the vertical wall 29 of channel [9. A flange 30 integral with side l3 extends over the to of channel l9 and acts as a retaining wall to maintain the locking member 20 in place for sliding movement within this channel, preventing accidental displacement of this locking member.

A cap 3| is desirably positioned, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to cover the major portion of the locking member. This cap has an interior circular flange 32, peripheral flanges 33, 34 separated to provide the space 35, and an opening 39 adapted to register with opening l5. When the cap is in position, space 35 provides a narrow arcuate slot 31 through which raised portion 26 extends and which slot permits movement of the raised portion 26 from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 1 and back. The ends of flanges 33 and 34 act as stops to limit movement of raised portion 26 in arcuate slot 31. In the structure of Figure 1 the cap improves the appearance of the key; also it affords a convenient place for applying a trademark or other suitable indicia.

In fabricating the key embodying this invention, it is only necessary to stamp out the opening [5 in the head of the key blank. This blank may .be any well known type of available blank. Si-

multaneously or successively the side I3 of the head is milled to form the channel 19 having the integral flange 30 and the arcuate grooves 31 and 38 forming an upstanding arcuate rib 39, a central button or raised portion 40 and an arcuate portion 4|, the edge 42 of which defines a side wall of channel l9. Locking member 20 is then disposed in channel [9 Thereafter cap 3| is placed in position with the opening 36 registering with opening I 5, flange 32 disposed in the arcuate groove 38, the edges of flanges 33 and 34 in abutment with the marginal edge of flange 30 and the raised portion 26 extending through the arcuate slot 31. Rib 39 is then. flattened by a suitable tool to the position shown in Figure 4 to fasten the cap in place.

under tension with the cam member in frictional contact with the wall 29 of channel I9.

4 Opening 15 in the key head is thus opened and the key can readily be removed from the key ring.

When it is desired to replace the key on a key ring, it is moved so that the key ring passes through opening l5. Raised portion 26 is then moved through arcuate slot 31 in the opposite direction. As the cam member begins to ride free of wall 29, and 22 enters the channel opening leading into side wall I1 and in the continued movement of the locking member the cam member thereon snaps out with the abutment wall 24 engaging wall I! providing a firm and positive closure for opening [5.

The modification of Figures 6, 7 and 8 differs from that of Figures 1 to 5 chiefly in that the locking member 20 is retained in channel l9 by the cap member 3|. In the modification of Figures 6, 7 and 8 side l3 of the head is not provided with a flange corresponding to flange 30, but the flanges 34 and 33 of the cap abut the side wall 43 of the channel [9. The flanges 33 and 34 are in frictional contact with the face of the locking member 20 and maintain it within the channel l9. The cap 3| is retained in place not only by the rib 39 looking with flange 32 of the cap, as shown in Figure 6, but also by a pair of ears 44 and 45 which are bent to engage the side walls It and I! of opening [5.

The operation of the modification of Figures 6 and 7 is substantially the same as that of the other modification and should be clear from the above description of the operation of the other modification.

It will be noted the key of this invention can readily be fabricated from standard key blanks. The fabrication requires a simple stamping and milling operation which is relatively inexpensive. The locking member can readily be stamped to shape from spring metal. The cap also, if used, can be stamped to shape. The parts can readily be assembled to produce the finished product which is substantially less costly to manufacture than readily removable and replaceable keys heretofore known. The resultant key, it will be further noted is simple and rugged in design and is eflicient in use in that it can readily and conveniently be removed from and replaced onto a key ring.

The term key ring is used herein in a broad sense to include any and all key retainers whether of true ring or other shapes. The term side" is used in a broad sense and includes the face as well as the back of a key head.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A key adapted to be readily removed from and placed onto a key ring comprising a head having. an opening leading into the periphery thereof and a channel in one side of the head extending from one wall of said opening in a direction away from said opening, a locking member slidably mounted in said channel and adapted to be moved to bridge said opening and close same to prevent removal of the key from a key ring and also to be moved in a direction to open said opening so that said key can readily be removed from the key ring, and a cam member on said lockingmember said cam member being dimensioned .to .1bridgesaidoperiing and abut the walls; thereof toloc'ksaid locking :member in place, said locking member being :tensioned to cause said :cam ;member :to snap into said opening wupon movement ofrsaid locking member to position the cam vmemberzin said opening.

12.,A keyadapted "to be readily :removed from and placed aontoa .key ring scomprisingsa head havinglian opening leading into therperipheny thereof and .awchannel intone side of the head extending from one wall of said opening in a directionzaway from said opening, a spring metal locking member slidably mounted in saidchannel and adapted :to :be moved to bridge said opening and close same to prevent removal of the key from a key ring andalso tobe moved in a direction zto aopen said opening so :that said :key can readilynbe removed from the key ring, and a cam on the periphery of said locking member near one end thereof, said cam cooperating with the terminal end of said channel so that when said locking member is moved in .a direction to open :said openingthe locking member is placed under tension and is maintained under tension within said channel and when moved in the opposite direction to bridge said opening and close same, saidtension is relieved and the locking member snaps in place to bridge said opening with the camiabutting the walls of said opening to lock said locking member in place bridging said opening.

3. A key adapted to be readily removed from and placed onto a key ring comprising ahead having an opening extending from the periphery ofrsaidfiiead intothe interior portion thereof, a

channel in one side of said head extending from one side wall of the opening, and a metal arcuate iockingmember disposed in said channel for sliding movement therein, said locking member .having a cam member on one peripheral edge thereof and a raised portion adapted to be engaged to efie'ct movement of said locking member in said channel, said cam member being dimensioned to abut the walls of said opening to lock said locking member in place bridging said opening, said lcckingmember being tensioned to cause said cam member to snap into said opening upon movement of said locking member to position the cam member in said opening.

4. A key adapted to be readily removed from and placed onto a key ring comprising a head having an opening extending from the periphery thereof towards the interior of the head and having in the side of the head an arcuate channel extending from one side wall of said opening into the opposite side wall of said opening, a metal arcuate locking member disposed in said channel for sliding movement therein, said looking member having a cam member on its periphery near one end thereof and having a raised portion extending above the surface of the side of the head in which said channel is disposed, said cam member being dimensioned to abut the side walls of said opening to lock said locking member in place with the cam member bridging said opening, said raised portion adapted to be engaged to effect movement of said locking member in said channel to bridge said opening and close same to prevent removal of a key from a key ring and also to be moved in a direction to open said opening so that said key can readily be removed from the key ring, said locking member being tensioned to cause said cam member to snap into said opening upon movement of said locking member topositionthe scammember in said opening. 1

5 A :key adapted to ib'e" readily removed i'from and placed onto :a key ring comprising...a head having .an @opening extending :fromsthe periphery thereof vtowards 'the interior :of :said .head,:rone side 10f. said head Jhaving therein s. an {arcuate channel extending Ffrom pnefiside wall of .said opening into the :otherss-ide wall thereof, :a metal arcuate docking member disposed in said channel for sliding movement therein, :a. flangetinteg-nal with'theside of said headiin which said channel is. disposed :for retaining :said docking memberzin position in saidachannel, said blocking member having a @cam member ion i8, peripheral redge thereof near one end (of the locking member and having 4a. raised portion extending through said channel above the surface of :said side *of said head so that said raised portionxc'anreadily'ihe engaged to effect movement ofssaid -locking.'-member .in said channel :in a :direction to hridge said opening :and close same to prevent removal "of the key from :a key ring :and also in the opposite rection to open said opening .so that said key can readilybe removed from the keyring, said cam member "being dimensioned to abut the :side walls of said opening to lock said locking member place withithe cam member bridging said opening, said locking member being tensioned .toicause said cam member to snap :into said opening 'iipon movement :of said locking member to position the cam member in said opening.

A key adapted to :be readily removed drum and placed -ontoza :key ring comprising a head having an opening extending from the periphery thereof towards the interior of said head. one side of saidhead having therein an arcuate channel extending from one side wall of said opening .into the other side wall thereof, a metal arcuate locking member disposed in said channel for sliding movement therein, said locking member having a cam member on'a peripheral edge thereof near one end of the locking member and having a raised portion extending through said channel above the surface of said side of said head so that, said raised portion can readily be engaged to effect movement of said locking member in said channel in a direction to bridge said opening and close same to prevent removal of the key from a key ring and also in the opposite direction to open said opening so that said key can readily be removed from the key ring, and a cap covering said channel except for a narrow portion through which narrow portion said raised portion extends, said cam member being dimensioned to abut the side walls of said opening to lock said locking member in place with the cam member bridging said opening, said locking member being tensioned to cause said cam member to snap into said opening upon movement of said locking member to position the cam member in said opening.

'7. A key adapted to be readily removed from and placed onto a key ring comprising a head having an opening extending from the periphery thereof towards the interior of said head, one side of said head having an arcuate channel therein extending from one side wall of said opening into the other side wall thereof, a metal arcuate locking member disposed in said channel for sliding movement therein, a flange integral with the side of said head in which said channel is disposed and overhanging said channel for retaining said locking member in said channel, said locking member having a, cam member on a peripheral edge thereof near one end of said looking member and having a raised portion extending. through said channel above the surface of said side of said head containing said arcuate channel so that said raised portion can readily be engaged to effect movement of said locking member in said channel in a direction to bridge said opening and close the same to prevent removal of the key from the key ringand also in the opposite direction to open said opening so that said key can readilybe removed from the key ring, said cam member being dimensioned to abut the side walls of said opening to lock said locking memher in place with the cam member bridging said opening, said locking member being tensioned to cause said cam member to snap into said opening upon movement ofsaid locking member to position the cam member in said opening, and a cap covering said channel except for a narrow portion through which narrow portion said raised portion extends, said cap having ears engaging the walls of said opening and preventing movement of said cap upon movement of said locking member in said channel.

8. A key adapted to be readily removed from and placed on to a key ring comprising a head having an opening extending from the periphery thereof towards the interior of said head, one side of said head having an arcuate channel therein extending from one sidewall of said opening in a direction away from said opening, an arcuate locking member disposed in said channel for sliding movement therein, said locking member having a cam member on a peripheral edge thereof near one end ofsaid locking memberand having a raised portion extending through said channel above the surface of said side of said head containing said arcuate channel so that said raised portion can readily be engaged to effect movement of said locking member in said channel in a direction to bridge said opening and close the same to prevent removal of the key from the key ring and also in the opposite direction to open said opening so that said key can readily be removed from the key ring, said locking member being tensioned to cause said cam member to 8 snap into said opening upon movement of said locking member to position the cam member in said opening.

9. A key as defined in claim 8, in which the arcuate locking member is in the form of a relatively fiat narrow arcuate member with the raised portion and the cam member substantially diametrically opposite each other and with the raised portion extending from one peripheral edge of said member substantially perpendicular thereo. 19. A key adapted to be readily removed from and placed on to a key ring, said key comprising a head having an opening extending from the periphery thereof towards the interior of said head, one side of said head having an arcuate channel therein extending from one side wall of said opening in a direction away from said opening, an arcuate locking member disposed in said channel for sliding movement therein, said looking member having a cam member on a peripheral edge thereof and having a raised portion extending through said channel above the surface of said side of said head containing said arcuate channel s that said raised portion can readily be engaged to efiect movement of said locking member in said channel in a direction to bridge said opening with the cam member disposed in said opening to close the same to prevent removal of the key from the key ring and also in the opposite direction to open said opening so that said key can readily be removed from the key ring.

THEODORE HEWITT JOHNSTONE'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

